Bridle bit with interchangeable mouthbars



April 25, 1967 M. D. GUNTHERT I 3,315,459

BRIDLE BIT WITH INTERCHANGEABLE MOUTHBARS Filed Oct. 12, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fig.4

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Melvin D. Gumherf l2 INVENTOR.

A ril 25; 1967 M. D. GUNTHERT 3,315,459

BRIDLE BIT WITH INTERCHANGEABLE MOUTHBARS Filed Oct. 12, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Me/w'n 0. Gunther! I INVL'NTOR.

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United States Patent 3,315,45? BRIDLE BIT WITH HNTERCHANGEABLE MOUTHBARS Melvin D. Gunthert, Rte. 2, Box 127, Sweet Home, Oreg. 97386 Filed Oct. 12, 1965, Ser. No. 495,249 9 Claims. (Cl. 54-8) The present invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in a bridle bit characterized by a plurality of selectively usable interchangeable mouthbars whereby to permit the owner to purchase and maintain a supply of structurally distinct mouthbars and to select them for use in such manner as is deemed to be necessary or desirable.

In carrying out the principles of the present inventive concept and instead of employing a one-piece frame structure, as is the common practice, the frame comprises a pair of duplicate opposed parallel cheek plates or shanks Whose lower end portions are joined by an intervening linking bar or connector having its ends loosely connected with the lower ends of the respective cheek .plates, the upper ends of said plates being apertured to accommodate insertable and removal terminal end portions of a selected one of the readily attachable and removable mouthbars. In this improved construction and arrangement the frame proper, which is made up of the two cheek plates and linking bar at the bottom, is such that the cheek plates can be freely moved relative to each other in a manner to facilitate the step of inserting and removing the end portions of the interchangeable mouthbars.

The construction preferred utilizes cheek plates which are standardized in construction, that is, are so made that the features incorporated therein are suitably constructed to accommodate and fasten the end portions of the insertable and removable mouthbar. Accordingly, a plurality of mouthbars of varying shapes and cross-sections can be interposed between the cheek plates with the end portions passing through the standardized apertures provided therefor and so constructed that said end portions can be fastened in place by differing types of fastening devices or means.

Stated more explicitly, one embodiment of the invention utilizes cheek plates wherein the apertured upper ends are provided with paired outstanding lugs. The projecting oriented end portions of the mouthbar extend through the apertures, are fitted between the coordinating lugs and the lugs are constructed to accommodate inserta-ble and removable latch-held pins.

Another aspect of the over-all concept has to do with outstanding lugs on the cheek plates to accommodate insertable and removable latching pins and wherein, in addition, a domica-l or hemispherical shield is provided and is hingedly mounted and serves as an enclosure for the lugs, latch pin and adjacent parts and is provided with a spring detent to maintain it in a set position.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a view in front elevation of a bridle bit constructed in accordance with the principles of the invention and showing one style of mouthbar and how it is removably mounted between standardized cheek plates and latched in operative position.

FIG. 2 is a section taken approximately on the plane of the horizontal line 22 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an end elevation observing the structure of FIG. 1 in a direction from either left or right as the case may be.

FIG. 4 is a vertical detail section, with parts in elevation taken on the vertical section line 4-4 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a section also fragmentarily shown and taken on the plane of the line 5-5 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary elevation detail view showing a modified manner of holding one of the latch pins in place.

FIG. 7 is a view showing the same fastener appearing in FIG. 6 but at right angles thereto.

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 4 showing another form or modification of the invention.

FIG. 9 is a section taken on the plane of the section line 9-9 of FIG. 8.

Reference will be made first to the form or embodiment of the invention appearing in FIGS. 1 to 5 inclusive.

The over-all multi-part frame which defines the bit construction is denoted by the numeral 10. It comprises a pair of duplicate vertically elongated flat faced frame members 12 at the left and right in FIG. 1 which are commonly referred to in the trade as shanks and also as check plates. The lower end portions of the cheek plates are denoted at 14 and are connected by a linking bar or connector link which is elongated, generally fiat faced and is denoted at 16. As a general rule this link is slightly arcuately curved as illustrated in FIG. 1. The end portions are reduced in cross-section as at 17 to provide extensions and also shoulders 18. The shoulders 18 abut the interior of the respective plates 12 and the extensions 17 extend through sl-ots provided therefor and are held in place by the headed end portions 20 of the rein attaching eyes 22. It follows that the connection between the plates 12 provides a three part frame structure or bit which is sufficiently flexible that it is referred to herein as a loose jaw structure. Bits in this field of endeavor are quite often connected at the lower ends of the shanks with similar loosely mounted or flexible connectors. Of principal importance here is the manner in which the upper ends 15 of the plates are constructed. One such plate is shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 wherein it will be noted that there is a non-circular aperture or opening at 24 which is constructed to accommodate a corresponding non-circular or substantially rectangular terminal end portion 26 at one end 28 of the over-all changeable or interchangeable mouthbar 30. The typical or example mouth-bar shown in FIG. 1, which is a popular type, has a U-bend 32 at the center. Other mouthbars (not shown) of the same length and standardized ends 26 and 28 are used in order to carry out the underlying interchangeable principle of the invention. Accordingly, it will be understood that all changeable mouthbars which are used herein have the same terminal end construction whereby to extend through the aperture at 24, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

In order to satisfactorily but removably anchor the projecting end portion of the mouthbar 30 in place outwardly of the exterior surface of the cheek plate in each instance it will be seen that there is a first lug 34 aligned with and fixed above the opening 24 and a second companion lug 36 below the opening and aligned therewith and also with said first ing 34. These lugs have holes 38 therein which match and correspond with a bore 40 which extends through the terminal end 26. The plan delineation or shape of the holes is shown in FIG. 5. It will be noted that a pin, the latch pin 42, corresponds in crosssection and is also of a length to extend down through the hole in the lug 34, through the bore 40 and then through a corresponding hole 38 in the bottom lug 36. To attain the result desired the latch pin has an applicator and retainer head 44 at its top which is provided in one readily accessible face with a screw driver kerf 46 which can be used for loosening the head when necessary or desired. There is also a groove 47 across the top or crown of the head 44 to accommodate the bight portion (2) mouthpiece).

48 of a pivotally mounted keeper link or safety catch 50 as shown in FIG. 3. This catch is hingedly mounted on the upper lug S4 and can be swung easily into position or out of position to obtain either the locking or unlocking result as desired.

It follows that with this form of the invention the loose connected lower end portions 14 of the over-all frame 10 pemnit the cheek plates to be moved toward or from each other to facilitate inserting and removing tne interchangeable mouthbar (also referred to as a (1) bit and The manner in which this inserting and removing step is accomplished is believed to be clear from FIGS. 1 to 5 inclusive in conjunction with the de scription of the parts already given.

The same underlying idea and principle is carried out in the form of the invention appearing in FIGS. 6 and 7. As a matter of fact, the cheek plate 52 is the same and has an opening 54 for passage of the terminal non circular end portion 56 of the insertable and removable mouthbar 58. In this adaptation the end portion 56 projects through the opening 54 between the integrally mounted outstanding upper and lower lugs 60 and 62 and here the latch pin 55 extends down through holes and a bore or passage (see FIGS. 4 and 5) provided therefor (not detailed) and instead of using the safety catch 50 the upper lug is provided with a pair of resilient or spring retaining fingers 61 which (as best shown in FIG. 6) have detents thereon as 'at 64 which are yieldingly snapped into a keeper seat or groove 66 provided therefor in the latch pin head 68. This construction and arrangement is a variation in the V catch means for holding the headed pin in place in the lugs 60 and 62.

The principle of construction is also much the same in the modification appearing in FIGS. 8 and 9. As shown in FIG. 8 the cheek plate 70 is provided with an opening or aperture 72 through which the terminal end portion 74 of the mouthbar 74 is passed. The bore in this instance is shown at 78 to accommodate the insertable and removable latch pin 80 which passes through holes pro vided therefor in the upper and lower fixed lugs 82 and 84. In this'form of the invention the upper headed end ofthe pin'is formed into a hookas at 86. This book serves to accommodate a hinging member 88 which is struck out from the upper marginal portion of the hingedly mounted substantially dornical or hemispherical shield 90.

This shield protectively encloses and provides a satisfactory sheath or'guard over and aroundthe lugs 82 and 84 the latch pin 80, and terminal end of the mouthbar, as at'74. For added safety a resilient catch 92 is provided 7 on the interior of the shield and this snaps into the recess understanding of the subject matter of the invention, the features and advantages ,and manner of using the same.

Accordingly, a more extensive description is unnecessary.

' The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable'tmodifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A bridle bit of thertype characterized by a frame comprising a pair of opposed duplicate cheek plates having upper and loWer' end portions, a plate linking and assembling member at right angles to and interposed between said lower end portions and having outer ends loosely but positively structurally connected with their respectively cooperable lower end portions, a readily attachable and detachable interchangeable-type mouthbar interposed between said upper end portions, said mouthbar having terminal end portions, said upper end portions having alignable apertures, the respective terminal end portions of said mouthbar extending through and beyond said apertures, said extending end portions having noncircular latch pin holes, and readily insertable and removable latch pins passing slidingly but non-rotatably through their respectively cooperable latch pin holes, each cheek plate being provided :above and below the apertures with aligned outstanding fixed lugs, each ter minal end portion of said mouthbar fitting insertably but firmlybetween said lugs, said lugs also having non-circular latch pin holes, and said latch pin pass-ing downwardly through and being retentively but removably keyed in the coordinating'latch pin holes, each latch pin being provided at its upper end with an enlarged integral head, and detachable safety catch means cooperable with said head and removably retaining the latch pin between said lugs. 7

2.. The structure defined in claim 1 wherein said latch pin is provided at its upper end with a head, said safety catch means comprising a link, said being hingedly connected to the adjacent lug and the lat-chpin head having a groove for releasable but retentive reception of a portion of said link. 3. The structure defined in claim 1 and whereinsaid safety catch means comprises a pair of'opposed upstand-j 7 ing resilient retaining fingers embracing cooperating sides of said latch pin, the coacting upper end of said latch pin being provided with a head and said head having groove means, said fingers having detents operatively cooperable with said groove means.

4. The structure defined in claim 1 and wherein said safety catch means comprises a pair of opposed upstanding resilient fingers located in proximity to coacting intervening surfaces of said head and said head being inter-- posed between said fingers and said coaoting surfaces having groove means and said fingers being resilient andpro- 7 V vided with detents and said detents being releasably engageable with said groove means.

5. The structure defined in claim 1 and wherein'said safety catch means includes, in combination, a hollow semi-spherical shell providinga shield, a marginal edge portion of said shell being provided with a component part hingedly joined to a cooperating end ofsaid latch 7 pin and permitting the shield to be swung into a guard position or manually lifted and swung to an o'ut-of-the-.

way position.

6. The structure defined in claim l 'and'wherein'said safety catch means includes, in combination, a hollow hemispherical shell providing a shield, a marginal edge portion of said shell being provided with a component part hingedly joined to a cooperating end of said latch pin and permitting the shield to be swung into a aguard 1 7. The structure according to'claim 1' and wherein said V latch pin being provided at an upper end with head means, and said safety catch means includes a hollow on said latch pin.

8. The structure according to claim 1 and wherein said latch pin being provided at an upper end with head means,

and said safety catch means includes a hollow hemispherical shell providing a guard-type sheath for the lugs and coacting terminal end portion thereof provided with hinge means hingedly connected to the head of said latch pin, the lower portion of said shell having internal spring catch -means engageable with a cooperating lug, and further having an indentation providing a finger niche.

9. A bridle bit comprising, in combination, a frame embodying a pair of opposed spaced normally parallel duplicate cheek plates having free upper and lower end portions, a plate linking and assembling member disposed at right angles to said plates and interposed between lower end portions of said plates and having opposite outer end portions loosely but positively structurally connected with their respectively cooperable lower end portions and operatively joining the lower end portions of said cheek plates together, a complemental readily attachable and detachable interchangeable-type mouthbar also disposed at right angles to and interposed between upper end portions of said cheek plates :and in an approximate parallel plane above said linking and assembling member, the respective upper end portions of said cheek plates having aligned apertures for reception and retention of the respectively cooperable terminal end portions of said mouth'bar, said terminal end portions extending through and beyond their coacting apertures, the extending end portion of each terminal end portion having an on-circular latch pin hole extending therethrough, the upper end portion of each cheek plate being provided with first and second lugs, one lug being in line with and above said aperture, the other lug being below and in alignment with said first lug, said lugs having non-circular latch pin holes in alignment with the latch pin hole in the terminal end portion which is sandwiched between said lugs, a latch pin having a head at an upper end thereof, said latch pin being of a length to extend downwardly through all of the latch pin holes and being of a cross-sectional dimension substantially corresponding with the cross-sectional dimension of the coacting latch pin holes, said head being provided with a screwdriver kerf and also provided across the top surface thereof with a keeper groove, a safety catch having end portions hingedly joined with the upper lug and having a bight portion which is releasably seata'ble in said groove.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,191,502 7/1916 Emme 292152 2,012,705 8/1935 Bergen 54-8 2,280,853 4/1942 Rody 547 2,810,250 9/1957 Smith 54-7 ALDRICH F. MEDBERY, Acting Primary Examiner. HUGH R. CHAMBLEE, SAMUEL KOREN, Examiners. 

1. A BRIDLE BIT OF THE TYPE CHARACTERIZED BY A FRAME COMPRISING A PAIR OF OPPOSED DUPLICATE CHEEK PLATES HAVING UPPER AND LOWER END PORTIONS, A PLATE LINKING AND ASSEMBLING MEMBER AT RIGHT ANGLES TO AND INTERPOSED BETWEEN SAID LOWER END PORTIONS AND HAVING OTHER ENDS LOOSELY BUT POSITIVELY STRUCTURALLY CONNECTED WITH THEIR RESPECTIVELY COOPERABLE LOWER END PORTIONS, A READILY ATTACHABLE AND DETACHABLE INTERCHANGEABLE-TYPE MOUTHBAR INTERPOSED BETWEEN SAID UPPER END PORTIONS, SAID MOUTHBAR HAVING TERMINAL END PORTIONS, SAID UPPER END PORTIONS HAVING ALIGNABLE APERTURES, THE RESPECTIVE TERMINAL END PORTIONS OF SAID MOUTHBAR EXTENDING THROUGH AND BEYOND SAID APERTURES, SAID EXTENDING END PORTIONS HAVING NONCIRCULAR LATCH PIN HOLES, AND READILY INSERTABLE AND REMOVABLE LATCH PINS PASSING SLIDINGLY BUT NON-ROTATABLY THROUGH THEIR RESPECTIVELY COOPERABLE LATCH PIN HOLES, EACH CHEEK PLATE BEING PROVIDED ABOVE AND BELOW THE APERTURES WITH ALIGNED OUTSTANDING FIXED LUGS, EACH TERMINAL END PORTION OF SAID MOUTHBAR FITTING INSERTABLY BUT FIRMLY BETWEEN SAID LUGS, SAID LUGS ALSO HAVING NON-CIRCULAR LATCH PIN HOLES, AND SAID LATCH PIN PASSING DOWNWARDLY THROUGH AND BEING RETENTIVELY BUT REMOVABLY KEYED IN THE COORDINATING LATCH PIN HOLES, EACH LATCH PIN BEING PROVIDED AT ITS UPPER END WITH AN ENLARGED INTEGRAL HEAD, AND DETACHABLE SAFETY CATCH MEANS COOPERABLE WITH SAID HEAD AND REMOVABLY RETAINING THE LATCH PIN BETWEEN SAID LUGS. 